Effects of 241Am standard material powder with different matrices on the determination of gross alpha activity in water
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2024.03.009
- VernacularTitle:不同基质241Am标准物质粉末对水中总α放射性测量的影响
- Author:
Yaru SUN
1
;
Fuyou FAN
2
;
Huan WANG
1
;
Meinan YAO
1
;
Bin BAI
1
;
Yongzhong MA
1
Author Information
1. Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing 100013 China.
2. National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029 China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Gross alpha activity;
241Am standard material;
Chemical recovery;
Whole process efficiency
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2024;33(3):278-282
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To understand the effects of 241Am standard material powder with different matrices on the determination of gross alpha activity in water, and to provide a reference for the selection and use of alpha standard sources. Methods The alpha counting efficiency of 241Am standard material powder with different matrices was measured by low-background alpha and beta measuring instrument. The radiochemical recovery rate and whole process efficiency of gross alpha activity in water were determined by spike experiments. Results The alpha counting efficiency of the 241Am standard material powder with four matrices was in the descending order of calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate and silica mixed matrix, calcium sulfate, and silica. The default chemical recovery rate is 1 when gross alpha activity in water is measured by thick source method. The use of 241Am standard material with calcium carbonate as a matrix resulted in about 35% decrease in gross alpha activity, and about 10% deviation was observed using 241Am standard material with silica or calcium carbonate and silica mixed matrices. The whole process efficiency of alpha activity in four spiked water samples with 241Am standard solution and 241Am standard material powder with calcium carbonate, silica, or mixed matrix was 6.34%-7.30%. Conclusion Standard materials with different matrices demonstrate different self-absorption of alpha particles and various influence on the chemical recovery. When purchasing and using standard material powders for alpha activity measurement in laboratories, the composition of the matrix should be clarified as much as possible, and the gross alpha activity in water should be determined by measuring the whole process efficiency if necessary.
